Zambia: reviews from our travellers

"I was very pleased with the quality of the service of Expert Africa.

Travelling is my passion and even though I normally book everything myself, I feel that I could not have booked this trip in Botswana without Maruska Adye's help. She really was attentive to all my requests and could advise me regarding my time and budget. I also think that even though this was an expensive trip (Botswana is a very expensive country) I got good value for money, which is very important when travelling. I'd like to thank Maruska and Expert Africa for their help and would certainly ask for their help in future visits to Botswana or other countries in Southern Africa.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

It was difficult for me to coordinate flight schedules with the trip and the best rates I was being ofered with Expert Africa. I know that this would be very difficult but it would be easier if you could also help us with international flights.

All in all, the service was excellent! Congratulations!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 4 on a Botswana safari

"The trip was worked out around our wish of spending 3 weeks in Zambia including North and South Luangwa, doing as much walking as possible plus Kawaza village. On Maruska recommendation Lower Zambezi was added. We also asked for camps/lodges were game viewing was the main focus.

Hence we had quite a few camps and lodges that we stayed in, all in all 9. The logistics between the camps, including the flight connections were as one would say in modern consultancy terminology seamless. The only mishappening was our luggage to Kawaza village, but Proflight worked it out.

The mix of camps was very good as well as the choice of areas, it gave a very good insight in what is available on the eastern side of Zambia. This must have been one our best trips/vacations ever.

As we do quite extensive research ourselves in beforehand we knew what we had to expect, at least to some extent. we understood that this was not the case for all and every one.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

As you know we missed our first day due to Lufthansa delay in Johannesburg. The delay was due to the aircraft, the new Airbus 380 with more than 500 passengers. It took more than 30 minutes to get off the plan. Apart from 15 min late arrival. 1h50 was not enough to make the transfer. We had booked the flight, this is more for you to be aware of the potential risk of delays with these immense aircrafts." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 17 on a Zambia safari

"Fantastic! Apart from the lengthy journey back, everything fell into place, and was amazing." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari

"We have all come back with so many lovely memories.

When anyone asks me about our holiday I say that I had such a lovely time and that the experiences exceeded my expectations - and I mean it! I think that it was really the people that made the difference. Everywhere we went we meet people who really wanted us to enjoy our holiday and who went out to there way to make sure we did. We only wish we could have stayed longer!" Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"I enjoyed this trip enormously and am contemplating returning to a different area of Zambia next year.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

As mentioned on the BA page I was bumped off my booked flight. Luckily I was able to contact Lucy Copson [Ed: at Expert Africa] who pulled out all the stops to come up with a better alternative than was being offered to me by BA. Were it not for her I would have arrived 24 hours late and missed two game drives.

I mentioned to the BA people that I had tried to check-on line about 21 hours before departure but was informed that on-line check-in was not available. They commented that that was because most people have their seats allocated at the time of booking, the inference being that had I done this I would not have been bumped off the flight. I know that BA do provide this facility at an extra charge but it did not occur to me that it was so important. Had I done so I would have been happy to pay the charge.

There will possibly be some merit in you checking if my understanding is correct and, if it is, advising your clients of this option" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"We probably won't go back to Zambia as we prefer Sabi Sand game and, in particular, the frequency and quality of cat sightings. We enjoyed the walking safaris and the water activities a lot.

As noted earlier, Expert Africa information packs should state that women's underwear will not be laundered by the lodges.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Without wishing to go on about this, tell people women's underwear will not be washed at camps in Zambia." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 15 on a Zambia safari

"This trip met and exceeded our expectations. All the arrangements in Africa were perfect, and the selection of where to go and stay made the trip interesting.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

As this was our first trip to Africa, Claire was very helpful in planning our trip." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"We had a fantastic two weeks experiencing wildlife and culture of Zambia and Malawi and we can't wait to return to Africa in the near future!

The highlight was the walking and the smooth organisation made our trip very comfortable and effort free. Little details were very thoughtful, and there was no chance of going hungry!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Perhaps a warning of cold weather in Malawi!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"This is the second trip we have made with Expert Africa. Staff are helpful, patient and knowledgeable.

I like the fact that we can talk to a member of staff with first hand experience of the lodges we planned to visit.

Both trips we have undertaken have exceeded expectation. This last one was absolutely fantastic. Every detail was taken care of and we didn't have to worry about anything. All we had to do was pack our bags, turn up at the airport and have the time of our lives.

All three camps were exceptional - I do believe that we chose the best. Staff were efficient, friendly and did everything they could to make our stay very enjoyable. Meals were comparable to good city restaurants which is remarkable considering the logistics of getting supplies.

Expert Africa is the only company I have ever come across that gives travellers a card with Staff emergency telephone numbers. This reflects the care that the company takes to ensure that clients have the best possible service. I wouldn't travel to Africa with any other company.

Thanks everyone - we had a wonderful time. We hope to return." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari

"Unforgettable! Even now we are finding it difficult to assimilate evrything we have seen and done. Everyone at the camps went out of their way to ensure that we enjoyed every aspect of our stay, for example on our way back to Mfuwe we had lunch at Kapani and a room was made available for our use which was much appreciated. Andrew our guide turned our last morning into a special experience instead of just a sad farewell.

Also much appreciated the help given at Lusaka airport on our arrival. Would also recommend a visit to Tribal Textiles, the tour of the workshop was particularly interesting.

To summarise, we both have had the experience of a lifetime and will remember all the lovely people we have met for a very long time." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari